Pakistan Super League season 6 unlikely to resume in UAE due to COVID-19 travel ban

Pakistan Super League sixth season is not likely to occur in the United Arab Emirates due to the COVID-19 travel ban. UAE government has recently announced a ban on travelers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Players like Daren Sammy and Wahab Riaz broke the bio-bubble protocols as they went to meet their franchise’s owner. Multiple cricketers were seen mingling with the guests and fans who had attended the weddings and other functions at the hotel, which was booked for the players. PSL was delayed last year as well, just before the playoffs in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The remaining games were later held in November.

This is not the right time for the tournament to commence again: Javed Miandad

The PCB was in talks with the Emirates Cricket Board to hold the remaining 20 games of the PSL in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from June 1. This was also recommended by the NCOA and by the franchise owners as well. It was suggested considering the first 3-4 seasons of the tournament were held totally in the UAE. United Arab Emirates had also hosted a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2014. They had successfully conducted the entire IPL 2020. UAE was also the reserve venue for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 if ICC decided to move it from original hosts India due to the COVID-19 surge.

Sri Lanka is also being thought of as one of the options for the completion of the PSL. However, the PCB is also concerned about the logistical and other challenges involved in hosting the event. 

Meanwhile, Javed Miandad has a totally different view on the resumption of PSL 2021. The batting legend believes that it was not the right time for the tournament to commence again. He further reckoned that the focus right now should be on saving lives from the deadly Coronavirus. Moreover, as per one source, the Pakistan Cricket Board was reluctant to have the matches in Karachi or anywhere in Pakistan, given the experience of last March. At that time, the league had to be postponed due to a sudden surge in COVID cases among players and the officials.

READ MORE Cricket articles here!